Topic Contents

Adult Onset Still's Disease

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Adult Onset Still's Disease is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disorder that affects the entire body (systemic disease). The cause of the disorder is unknown (idiopathic). Affected individuals may develop episodes of high, spiking fevers, a pink or salmon colored rash, joint pain, muscle pain, a sore throat and other symptoms associated with systemic inflammatory disease. The specific symptoms and frequency of episodes vary from one person to another and the progression of the disorder is difficult to predict. In some individuals, the disorder appears suddenly, disappears almost as quickly and may not return. In other people, adult onset Still's disease is a chronic, potentially disabling, condition. Various medications are used to treat individuals with adult onset Still's disease, affected individuals may respond to therapy differently. Adult onset Still's disease does not appear to run in families.

Adult onset Still's disease is the adult form of systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (juvenile Still's disease). The disorders are name after a British physician who first described systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in the medical literature in 1896. The term "adult Still's disease" was first used in the medial literature in 1971, but cases that fit the description of the disorder appear in the medical literature as early as the late 1800s.

Supporting Organizations

Arthritis Foundation

1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100

Atlanta, GA 30309

USA

Tel: (404)872-7100

Tel: (800)283-7800

Email: arthritisfoundation@arthritis.org

Website: http://www.arthritis.org

Arthritis Society

393 University Avenue

Suite 1700

Ontario, M5G IE6

Canada

Tel: 4169797228

Fax: 4169798366

Tel: 8003211433

Email: info@arthritis.ca

Website: http://www.arthritis.ca

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Information Clearinghouse

One AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

USA

Tel: (301)495-4484

Fax: (301)718-6366

Tel: (877)226-4267

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 5/15/2015Copyright 2015 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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